The Grotto della Sibilla in the Umbrian Mountains which was first mentioned in classical legend. Guerino the Wretch reaches a mountain pass near Norcia in Umbria where he meets with the Devil. The Devil, of course, wants Guerino's soul and tempts him by describing a subterranean kingdom where every delight will be his. Seemingly, in this kingdom, trees flower and fruit at the same time and there is no pain or age or sorrow.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

THE END OF A SOJOURN

I stayed five days ,not a week, but five daysfive days and four nights

It seemed much longerThe elements made it seem like living in another time and place

Heat and more heatNo winds to cool me at nightThen days when all the rainheld in the clouds for ages and ageslet forthCausing rivers to floodgardens to be washed awayanimals to hide under beds

I walked outside in all these weatherswaiting for another change to blow through.

So when I set out for homeit said...." 40o today ,hot north windsa day of "Bushfire danger"So I stayed another day

Friday said......Windy,wet, but mild.....So I set off from Gippsland townThe rain so heavy and the wind so strongThat it moved the car from the middle of the road.I held the wheel tightlyThe car moved as semi-trailers rushed past meThey left a spray that darkend my windscreen

I took shelter under a verandaat the local football oval had my cuppa and sandwich, fed Jessie dog the sound on the tin roof deafend all around

We persevered on ,passing many motorists broken down as they went through the floodwatersI took my time ..I was okArriving home, the sea caps on the waves caught my eyethe wind blowing them onto the beach and beyondThe Tasmanian ferry bounced at its mooringsIt would be a rough trip tonight as it crossed Bass Strait.

It was not cold,more like a tropical stormI arrived safely ,to a garden not needing wateringLeaves littered the lawnsHydrangers looked frizzled The bird bath full of debrisNo matter..........

I was home complete with prized plants and vegetablesfrom my friends gardenI unpacked jars of jam,pickles,olives,sun dried tomatoes,etc etcIt had been a grand four daysIn a part of Victoria different to my home townStreet lights not seen from the farmhouse balconyBut....The sunset on the Tambo river was magnificentand I could see.....the stars so bright...this denied mein my place as the lights of tall skyscrapers dim the stars to pale resemblences

I feel refreshed ,It is good to visit friendsIt is wonderful to laugh and drink wine in good companyTo share the produce of their laboursnot all purchased from supermarketsI had forgotten how sweet it tasted